Scottsdale Healthcare opens New Telemetry Stroke Unit

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Medical Center has opened a new state-of-the-art Telemetry Stroke Unit to provide comprehensive and more convenient care to patients.

The new unit complements the hospital’s designation as a Primary Stroke Center. Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Medical Center was the first hospital in the East Valley to receive the designation, which signifies a recommended center for the community to receive stroke care services.

Located on the hospital’s recently remodeled sixth floor, the new 12-bed Telemetry Stroke Unit includes a patient monitoring system with 12 wireless remote monitors that immediately alert nurses to any change in a patient’s condition.

The unit is staffed by Magnet-award winning nurses trained in areas including neurology, telemetry, basic EKG, conscious sedation and caring for abnormal heart rhythms. Magnet recognition is awarded by the American Nurses Association and considered the gold standard for nursing practices.

For many stroke patients, the new unit will eliminate the need to be transferred within the hospital. Depending on the severity of their condition, patients with stroke symptoms can be taken directly to the new Telemetry Stroke Unit. Previously, all patients with stroke symptoms were taken to the Intensive Care Unit and many were later moved to a general Telemetry Unit rather than a stroke-specific unit.

“I have had two strokes, and each time, the care in the emergency room and sixth floor at Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Medical Center was excellent. I was very pleased with the rehab staff, and all in all, I found the stroke telemetry unit’s staff to be attentive to my needs and understanding of my condition,” said former patient Thor Anderson, adding that he is now back to volunteering, golfing and enjoying life.

The American Stroke Association designated Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Medical Center a Primary Stroke Center in 2005 and awarded redesignation in 2007. The hospital is currently in the process of obtaining Primary Stroke Center Certification from The Joint Commission, an independent, not-for-profit organization which accredits and certifies healthcare organizations and programs in the United States.

Submitted on behalf of Scottsdale Healthcare
Scottsdale Healthcare (http://www.shc.org/) is the not-for-profit parent organization of Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Medical Center, Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Medical Center, Scottsdale Healthcare Thompson Peak Hospital, Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center, Scottsdale Clinical Research Institute, TGen Clinical Research Services at Scottsdale Healthcare, Scottsdale Healthcare Home Health Services, Scottsdale Healthcare Community Health Services, NOAH Clinics and Scottsdale Healthcare Foundation. Scottsdale Healthcare ER wait times are updated every three minutes at http://www.fastertimes.org/.

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